University of Louisville
UC IRVINE
Team Success the Priority over Personal Accolades for Kubel
August 24, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Kubel and the No. 9 Cardinals host UC Irvine on Friday night in season-opener
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Head coach Ken Lolla, in addition to seniors Tim Kubel and Mohamed Thiaw and junior Tate Schmitt previewed the Cardinals' 2017 schedule, which kicks off Friday at 7:30 p.m., ET at Lynn Stadium against UC Irvine in the 2017 season-opener.  Â
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Despite their ambition to win the ACC for the first time and the NCAA championship, Lolla stresses to his players to leave a lasting legacy with the team.Â
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"We've been preaching for a number of years, about the responsibility of leaving the program better than they have," Lolla said. "We definitely did that. After a year of underachieving, we received a top-four seed and was amongst the best. Getting to the quarterfinals and losing to the national champion was a major step forward, not just from a result standpoint, but culture. This group is poised to do even better. I'm excited about the possibilities ahead of to do even more."Â
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One player that will be remembered upon graduation will be Kubel. Lolla mentored and oversaw the development of the Germany native since his recruitment three years ago. Now fully integrated into Lolla's system, Kubel has become the team's captain, and a pivotal figure in the locker room.Â
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"He's one of most talented players, if not the most talented we've had," Lolla said. "He came in with a lot of experience. But what I love about Tim is that he is continuing to grow, more importantly, as a person. He's now a tremendous leader, and that's what makes him so valuable. We appreciate the talent he brings and how he helps others become better. The greatest players in the world are the ones that, when stepping onto the floor, raise the levels of other people. Tim can do that, and that's what his impressive about him, not only his talent but his ability to elevate those around him."Â
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The Cardinals came short of the winning the national championship, falling to eventual champion Stanford in the Elite Eight. Players are rejuvenated and eager to step back onto the field in the attempt to going further than in 2016.Â
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"We had a terrific spring," Kubel said. "Lots of guys came back early in the summer. That was good because we had time to play together as a team. Usually, we only have a week before the season starts to train together. This year we had an entire month, and I think that helped us a lot. From a team-building aspect and a playing aspect, just getting the reps. It helped a lot."
 The Cardinals are undergoing a youth rebuild from within. The first team has the experience, while the depth positions are almost entirely freshman. Of the 11 incoming outfield players, nine are true freshman. Â
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The youth will need time to settle and become integrated into the system. Having collected numerous accolades over his collegiate career, Kubel takes it upon himself as a leader to prepare them for the next two to four years.Â
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"I came in as a guy knowing professional soccer in Europe, but not college soccer," Kubel said. "Ken shaped me into a more well-rounded person. I was super self-centered and trying to do my own thing. Ken opened my eyes to be a leader for my teammates. I used to be a leader back in Germany, but a much different kind. For me, I accomplished something if I get guys like Connor Brazil ready to play. I always take a few guys under my wing to get them ready for the season in one or two years. That's what I want to leave as my legacy. I want to have an impact on several guys so they can go on to be stars for the team."
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer
2017 LOUISVILLE SOCCER SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2017 University of Louisville soccer season are on sale now and can be purchased online here, by phone at 502-GO-CARDS or in person at the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Fans can also renew their season tickets from last season by logging in to the My Cardinal Account or by calling 502-GO-CARDS.
Season ticket holders will receive tickets for all men's and women's matches while sitting in the same seats for every match. Season ticket pricing at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium remains the same in 2017 as it has been since the facility opened in 2014. Season tickets in the reserved seating areas are as low as $3 per match, while general admission/berm/bleacher tickets are as low as $2.25 per game with the family plan.
Unique on field and game day group experiences are also available and more information is available at GoCards.com/soccer-fep. For more information on Louisville soccer season tickets, call 502-GO-CARDS or email tickets@gocards.com.
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